MDK modular tray dividers for Kardex VLMs

The Penn Elcom MDK modular tray divider system turns the open trays of your Kardex vertical lift module (VLM) into organised, adjustable compartments. Each system is made from 0.7mm steel and combines a rigid frame, long dividers that set the width of each lane, and cross dividers that set the depth of each compartment. You lay out every tray around the stock it holds, and when your inventory changes, you move the dividers rather than buying a new insert.

MDK kits are available for Kardex trays with 1500 x 800mm and 1800 x 850mm nominal footprints. Every component is also sold separately, so you can start with a single tray, extend a layout as your range grows, or equip a whole Kardex machine one tray at a time.

Reconfigure whenever your stock changes

Long dividers locate on a 50mm slot grid across the frame, so lane widths can be changed as parts are added, discontinued or resized. The same steel components are reused in every new layout, which keeps the cost of reorganising a Kardex tray low.

Robust steel construction

Frames and dividers are formed from 0.7mm steel. Steel holds its shape through daily picking and restocking, giving heavier parts, tooling and components firm, clearly defined walls.

Sized for Kardex trays

MDK frames are built around the nominal footprints of Kardex VLM trays, with a 150mm perimeter that keeps stock contained and in its assigned location every time the tray is retrieved.

Compartments sized to the part

Cross dividers are available in 50mm steps from 50mm to 500mm to match the lane grid, and up to three can be fitted in each lane to create up to four compartments from front to back.

Full kits or individual components

Start with a complete kit, or buy frames, long dividers and cross dividers individually to expand an existing layout, rebuild a tray or replace a single part.

Flat-packed for efficient delivery

Every MDK component ships flat and is assembled on site, which keeps delivery volumes down when you are fitting out several Kardex trays at once.

Each MDK layout is built from three component types that locate together inside the Kardex tray:

1. The frame forms a rigid 150mm-high perimeter inside the tray. It is supplied as two side bars, two end bars and fixings, and its slotted inner faces set the 50mm grid for the long dividers.
2. Long dividers run from front to back and create the main lanes. They reposition across the frame in 50mm increments, so you can space the lanes to suit what you are storing.
3. Cross dividers clip between the long dividers to split each lane into compartments. They locate on slots set at a 200mm pitch along each long divider, with up to three fitted per lane.

Because every position sits on a fixed grid, a new layout can be planned on paper before anything is moved, then built in the tray and changed again whenever your Kardex stock profile changes.

Every part of the MDK system is sold individually, so you can add lanes, create more compartments or set up additional Kardex trays without buying a full kit.

Kardex tray sizes vary by model and age, so a quick measurement before ordering ensures the frame fits first time.

1. Measure the internal width and depth of the tray at its base, inside any lips or flanges.
2. Compare your measurements with the frame's external size: 1503 x 804mm for the MDK15-150X80 and 1803 x 854mm for the MDK15-180X85. Your tray's internal dimensions need to be equal to or larger than these figures.
3. Allow for the 150mm divider height when planning tray spacing in your Kardex, as the tray will be stored according to its tallest contents.
4. Add the weight of the divider system to the weight of your stock and confirm the total is within the tray's rated load. Component weights are listed in the table above.

If you are unsure which kit suits your Kardex, contact our team with your machine model and tray dimensions and we will help you choose.

MDK dividers suit any Kardex installation where small and medium parts need fixed, clearly defined locations. Typical applications include:

• Maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) spares
• Engineering and production components
• Tooling, fixings and consumables
• Kitting and line-side supply for assembly
• Service parts and aftermarket stock
• Workshop and facilities stores
• Warehouse and distribution stock for order fulfilment

Kardex users generally choose between three approaches to tray organisation. Plastic box systems divide the tray into individual bins, which suits very small parts and visual stock checks. Coated hardboard and fibreboard dividers are lightweight and economical. Steel divider systems such as MDK give rigid, durable walls that stand up to frequent reconfiguration and busy picking, which makes them well suited to heavier components and long-term use. Steel does weigh more than plastic or hardboard, but an MDK frame weighs 5.094kg (1500 x 800mm) or 5.89kg (1800 x 850mm), and each long divider less than 1kg, which is a small share of a typical Kardex tray's rated load.

The right choice depends on the weight and size of your stock, how often your layout changes and the rated load of your Kardex trays. Our team can advise if you are weighing up the options.

Penn Elcom is a global manufacturer of professional hardware and 19-inch racking. The company started in 1974 with a single manual press in Penn, Buckinghamshire, and now has more than 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing products for specialist industries. The MDK range applies that metalworking experience to the organisation of automated storage, with in-house design and custom manufacturing available alongside the standard range.

Kardex tray dividers are inserts that split the open trays of a Kardex vertical lift module into separate compartments, so each part has a fixed location. The Penn Elcom MDK system is a modular steel divider set made up of a frame, long dividers and cross dividers, which can be rearranged whenever your stock changes.

MDK kits are designed for Kardex VLM trays with 1500 x 800mm and 1800 x 850mm nominal footprints. Because tray dimensions vary between Kardex models and generations, check your tray's internal size against the frame's external size before ordering, or contact our team with your machine model.

Measure the internal width and depth of your tray. The MDK15-150X80 frame has an external size of 1503 x 804mm and the MDK15-180X85 frame measures 1803 x 854mm. Choose the kit whose frame fits within your tray's internal dimensions.

Yes. MDK is designed for Kardex VLMs, but it can be used in any vertical lift module or storage carousel whose trays have suitable internal dimensions and enough height clearance for the 150mm frame.

Long dividers set lanes across the tray in 50mm increments, and each lane takes up to three cross dividers, creating up to four compartments from front to back. The total number of compartments depends on how wide you make each lane and how many dividers you fit. Additional long and cross dividers can be bought separately to increase it.

Lift the cross dividers out of their slots, move the long dividers to new positions on the frame's 50mm grid, then refit cross dividers in the lengths that match your new lane widths.

Yes. All MDK components ship flat. The frame is supplied as two side bars, two end bars and fixings, and the long and cross dividers then locate into the frame and into each other.

Frames, long dividers and cross dividers are all made from 0.7mm steel.

MDK frames have a 150mm wall height, and the long and cross dividers are 148mm high.

Yes. Every component in the kits is also sold separately, including frames for each tray size, 783mm and 833mm long dividers, and cross dividers from 50mm to 500mm in 50mm steps.

MDK frames weigh 5.094kg for 1500 x 800mm trays and 5.89kg for 1800 x 850mm trays. Long dividers weigh 0.775kg (783mm) and 0.825kg (833mm), and cross dividers range from 0.046kg for the 50mm length to 0.478kg for the 500mm length. A complete MDK15-150X80 kit weighs 16.99kg and a complete MDK15-180X85 kit weighs 18.18kg.

The weight of the divider system counts towards the tray's rated load in the same way as the stock it holds. A full MDK kit weighs up to 18.18kg, so check the combined weight of the dividers and your stock against the load rating for your Kardex model.

Kardex VLMs store each tray according to the height of its contents, so a tray fitted with MDK dividers will need a storage space of at least 150mm. Taking this into account when planning which trays to fit makes the best use of your machine's capacity.

No. MDK tray dividers are designed and supplied by Penn Elcom for use with Kardex vertical lift modules. Penn Elcom is not affiliated with Kardex, and the Kardex name is used only to describe compatibility.

If your tray size is not listed, contact our team with your machine model and tray dimensions. Penn Elcom also offers a custom manufacturing service, and we can advise on the options for non-standard trays.

MDK kits and individual components can be ordered online at penn-elcom.com, with international shipping available. Contact our sales team for help planning a layout across multiple Kardex trays or for larger orders.

Kardex is a registered trademark of its respective owner. Penn Elcom is not affiliated with or endorsed by Kardex. Brand names are used only to describe product compatibility.